Hanger Device for Window Shade

ABSTRACT

A hanger device includes a pin fixed to a shade of a window blind. The pin includes an end extending away from the shade in a thickness direction. A hanger body includes a slot having first and second sections spaced in a vertical direction perpendicular to the thickness direction. The first section is in communication with and above the second section. A width of the first section in a width direction perpendicular to the thickness and vertical directions is larger than a diameter of the pin, which, in turn, is not smaller than a width of the second section. The pin is extended through the first section. The hanger is moved upward with the pin moving from the first section into and tightly engaged with the second section. A slide is coupled to an upper end of the hanger body and slideably received in a head rail of the window shade.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a hanger device and, more particularly, to a hanger device for mounting a shade to a head rail of a window shade.

A type of window shade includes a head rail and a shade mounted to the head rail. A plurality of hooks is mounted to an upper end of the shade. A slider is mounted to each hook and slideably received in a track of the head rail. Movement of the sliders in the track allows folding/unfolding of the shade. The shade can be detached from the head rail from cleaning purposes. However, engagement/disengagement of the hooks and the sliders is troublesome, and the hooks may cause injury to the user. Furthermore, the hooks and the sliders are liable to disengage from the shade due to frequent pulling of the shade. Further, the hooks need a larger coupling area on the shade, adversely affecting the appearance of the shade.

Thus, a need exists for a hanger device allowing easy mounting of a shade to a head rail of a window shade without causing injury to the user.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention solves this need and other problems in the field of window shade installation by providing, in a preferred form, a hanger device including a pin adapted to be fixed to a shade of a window blind. The pin includes a first end extending away from a side of the shade in a thickness direction. A hanger includes a hanger body and a slide. The hanger body includes upper and lower ends spaced along a vertical direction perpendicular to the thickness direction. The hanger body further includes a slot having first and second sections spaced in the vertical direction. The first section is in communication with and above the second section. The first section includes a first width in a width direction perpendicular to the thickness and vertical directions. The first width is larger than a diameter of the pin. The second section includes a second width in the width direction smaller than the first section. The second section is not larger than the diameter of the pin. The pin is extendible through the first section in the thickness direction. The hanger is movable upward in the vertical direction relative to the pin with the pin moving downward from the first section into and tightly engaged with the second section. The pin is forcibly movable in the vertical direction relative to the hanger from the second section into the first section allowing disengagement of the pin from the first section in the thickness direction. The slide is coupled to the upper end of the hanger body and adapted to be slideably received in a head rail of the window shade.

In the most preferred form shown, the pin further includes a second end spaced from the first end of the pin in the thickness direction. The pin further includes an intermediate section between the first and the second ends of the pin. The second end of the pin is fixed to the shade. The first end and the intermediate section of the pin extend away from the side of the shade. The first end of the pin has an outer diameter than the diameter of the pin. The first width is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the first end of the pin. The second width is smaller than the outer diameter of the first end of the pin and approximately the same as the diameter of the intermediate section of the pin, and with the intermediate section of the pin tightly coupled with the second section of the slot. The second section of the slot includes two sidewalls spaced in the width direction and a bottom wall interconnected between the two sidewalls. Each of the sidewalls includes a protruded portion. The protruded portions have a third width therebetween in the width direction. The third width is slightly smaller than the second width. The bottom wall of the second section of the slot and the protruded portions together define a space. Each protrusion has a spacing to the bottom wall in the vertical direction equal to the diameter of the intermediate section of the pin. Thus, the intermediate section of the pin can be tightly engaged in the space. The slide is pivotably coupled to the upper end of the hanger body.

The present invention will become clearer in light of the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments of this invention described in connection with the drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The illustrative embodiments may best be described by reference to the accompanying drawings where:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a window shade and a plurality of hanger devices according to the preferred teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a partial, exploded, perspective view of the window shade and one of the hanger devices of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows a partial, perspective of the window shade and the hanger device of FIG. 2 with a pin engaged in a first section of a slot of a hanger body of the hanger device.

FIG. 4 shows a partial, perspective view of the window shade and the hanger device of FIG. 2 with the pin engaged in a second section of the slot of the hanger body.

FIG. 5 shows a cross sectional view of the window shade and one of the hanger devices of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 shows a partial, cross sectional view of the window shade and the hanger device of FIG. 5 according to section line 6-6 of FIG. 5.

All figures are drawn for ease of explanation of the basic teachings of the present invention only; the extensions of the figures with respect to number, position, relationship, and dimensions of the parts to form the preferred embodiments will be explained or will be within the skill of the art after the following teachings of the present invention have been read and understood. Further, the exact dimensions and dimensional proportions to conform to specific force, weight, strength, and similar requirements will likewise be within the skill of the art after the following teachings of the present invention have been read and understood.

Where used in the various figures of the drawings, the same numerals designate the same or similar parts. Furthermore, when the terms “first”, “second”, “lower”, “upper”, “inner”, “side”, “end”, “portion”, “section”, “vertical”, “spacing”, “width”, “thickness”, and similar terms are used herein, it should be understood that these terms have reference only to the structure shown in the drawings as it would appear to a person viewing the drawings and are utilized only to facilitate describing the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A hanger device according to the preferred teachings of the present invention is shown in the drawings and generally designated 10. According to the preferred form shown, hanger device 10 is mounted to a window shade 12 including a head trail 14 and a shade 16 below head rail 14. Head rail 14 defines a track 18. Hanger device 10 is mounted between an upper end 20 of shade 16 and track 18. It can be appreciated that hanger device 10 can be mounted to window shade 12 of other types.

According to the preferred form shown, hanger device 10 includes a pin 22 fixed to shade 16. Pin 22 includes first and second ends 25 and 26 spaced in a thickness direction and an intermediate section 28 between first and second ends 25 and 26. Second end 26 is fixed to upper end 20 of shade 16. First end 25 and intermediate section 18 extending from a side 30 of shade 16. First end 25 has an outer diameter larger than a diameter of intermediate section 18. In the most preferred form shown, pin 22 is in the form of a rivet with an enlarged head forming first end 25. Pin 22 can be rapidly fixed to shade 16 by a nailing gun.

According to the preferred form shown, hanger device 10 further includes a hanger 24 having a hanger body 32 and a slide 34. Hanger body 32 includes upper and lower ends 36 and 38 spaced in a vertical direction perpendicular to the thickness direction. Hanger body 36 further includes a slot 40 having first and second sections 42 and 44 spaced in the vertical direction. First section 42 is in communication with and above the second section 44. First section 42 is adjacent upper end 36 and includes a first width in a width direction perpendicular to the thickness and vertical directions. The first width is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the first end 25 such that first end 25 of pin 22 can extend through first section 42 of slot 40 in the thickness direction. Second section 44 is adjacent lower end 38 and includes a second width in the width direction smaller than first section 42 and smaller than the outer diameter of first end 25 of pin 22. Furthermore, the second width of second section 44 is not larger than the diameter of intermediate section 28 of pin 22 (or the width of intermediate section 28 of pin 22 in the width direction). In the most preferred form shown, the second width is smaller than the outer diameter of first end 25 of pin 22 and approximately the same as the diameter of intermediate section 28 of pin 22. Thus, intermediate section 28 of pin 22 can be tightly coupled with second section 44 of slot 40 of hanger body 32.

In the most preferred form shown, second section 44 of slot 40 includes two sidewalls 46 spaced in the width direction and a bottom wall 48 interconnected between sidewalls 46. Each sidewall 46 includes a protruded portion 50. Protruded portions 50 have a third width therebetween in the width direction. The third width is slightly smaller than the second width. Bottom wall 48 and protruded portions 50 together define a space 52. Each protrusion 50 has a spacing to bottom wall 48 in the vertical direction equal to the diameter of intermediate section 28 of pin 22. Thus, intermediate section 28 of pin 22 can be tightly engaged in space 52.

In the most preferred form shown, slide 34 is pivotably coupled to upper end 36 of hanger body 32. However, slide 34 can be integrally formed with upper end 36 of hanger body 32 as a single continuous monolithic piece. Slider 34 is slideably received in track 18 of head rail 14 so that hanger 24 can slide along track 18 in the width direction. Slide 34 can be in the form of a roller.

In use, a plurality of pins 22 is fixed to upper end 20 of shade 16. A hanger 24 is mounted to each pin 22. Mounting of one of hanger 24 to one of pins 22 will now be set forth. First section 42 of slot 42 of hanger 24 is aligned with first end 25 of pin 22 and then moved toward pin 22 until first end 25 of pin 22 is extended through first section 42. Next, hanger 24 is moved upward in the vertical direction so that intermediate section 28 of pin 22 passes through protruded portions 50 into space 52 of second section 44. Thus, intermediate section 28 of pin 22 is tightly engaged in space 52 of second section 44.

Hanger device 10 according to the preferred teachings of the present invention allows shade 16 to be mounted to or removed from head rail 14 easily, safely, and quickly. Furthermore, the weight of shade 16 keeps pin 22 engaged in second section 44 of slot 40 of hanger body 32, avoiding disengagement of pin 22 from hanger body 32. Pin 22 mounted to shade 16 is small and, thus, will not adversely affect the aesthetic appearance of window shade 12.

Pin 22 can be forcibly moved upward to first section 42 of slot 40 of hanger body 32 and then moved in the thickness direction to disengage pin 22 from hanger body 32. All of pins 22 can be removed from respective hangers 24 by repeating this procedure. Thus, shade 16 can be disengaged from head rail 14 easily, safely, and quickly for cleaning purposes.

Thus since the invention disclosed herein may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or general characteristics thereof, some of which forms have been indicated, the embodiments described herein are to be considered in all respects illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is to be indicated by the appended claims, rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are intended to be embraced therein. 

1. A hanger device for a window blind, with the window blind including a head rail and a shade, with the hanger device comprising: a pin adapted to be fixed to the shade, with the pin including a first end extending away from a side of the shade in a thickness direction; and a hanger including a hanger body and a slide, with the hanger body including upper and lower ends spaced along a vertical direction perpendicular to the thickness direction, with the hanger body further including a slot having first and second sections spaced in the vertical direction, with the first section in communication with and above the second section, with the first section including a first width in a width direction perpendicular to the thickness and vertical directions, with the first width larger than a diameter of the pin, with the second section including a second width in the width direction smaller than the first section, with the second section not larger than the diameter of the pin, with the pin extendible through the first section in the thickness direction, with the hanger movable upward in the vertical direction relative to the pin with the pin moving downward from the first section into and tightly engaged with the second section, with the pin forcibly movable in the vertical direction relative to the hanger from the second section into the first section allowing disengagement of the pin from the first section in the thickness direction, with the slide being coupled to the upper end of the hanger body and adapted to be slideably received in the head rail.
 2. The hanger device as claimed in claim 1, with the pin further including a second end spaced from the first end of the pin in the thickness direction, with the pin further including an intermediate section between the first and the second ends of the pin, with the second end of the pin fixed to the shade, with the first end and the intermediate section of the pin extending away from the side of the shade, with the first end of the pin having an outer diameter than the diameter of the pin, with the first width slightly larger than the outer diameter of the first end of the pin, with the second width smaller than the outer diameter of the first end of the pin and approximately the same as the diameter of the intermediate section of the pin, and with the intermediate section of the pin tightly coupled with the second section of the slot.
 3. The hanger device as claimed in claim 2, with the second section of the slot including two sidewalls spaced in the width direction and a bottom wall interconnected between the two sidewalls, with each of the two sidewalls including a protruded portion, with the protruded portions having a third width therebetween in the width direction, and with the third width slightly smaller than the second width.
 4. The hanger device as claimed in claim 3, with the bottom wall of the second section of the slot and the protruded portions together defining a space, with each of the protrusions having a spacing to the bottom wall in the vertical direction equal to the diameter of the intermediate section of the pin, and with the intermediate section of the pin tightly engaged in the space.
 5. The hanger device as claimed in claim 3, with the pin including a rivet with an enlarged head forming the first end of the pin.
 6. The hanger device as claimed in claim 5, with the slide pivotably coupled to the upper end of the hanger body. 